Abstract: A digitizing probe and method is disclosed for accurately locating the edges and determining the orientation of a generally planar, metal workpiece relative to the orthogonal axes of a computer numerical control ("CNC") cutting machine. The CNC cutting machine includes a microcomputer controller for moving a transverse gantry in the longitudinal and lateral directions which define the orthogonal axes of the cutting machine. The digitizing probe and the cutter of the cutting machine are mounted on separate vertically movable support arms secured to support brackets provided on the transverse gantry. Thus, the digitizing probe and the cutter may be independently positioned at predetermined heights above the top surface of the workpiece. The digitizing probe includes a plurality of analog inductive proximity sensors arranged in a fixed, predetermined array.

Abstract: The identification, isolation and cloning of DNA sequences coding for mutant forms of the cystic fibrosis gene and their gene product are described. DNA sequence information and information relating to the genomic structure of the cystic fibrosis gene are provided. The mutant forms of the CF gene include specific sequence alterations in coding portions or of other genetic information at exon/intron boundaries and altered RNA transcripts and mutant protein products. Such DNA and protein information is useful in developing DNA or protein diagnosis for CF mutations, carrier and patient screening, as well as cloning of mutant genes and manufacturing of their proteins for investigation into therapies for cystic fibrosis.

Abstract: An apparatus for pyrolysis of a sample of a composite material containing a combustible binder includes a combustion chamber configured to receive a sample of the composite material and having an outlet. A heater is associated with the combustion chamber for heating the chamber to a temperature sufficient for pyrolysis of the binder. A blower is in fluid communication with the combustion chamber for creating an airflow through the outlet to remove airborne pyrolysis products from the combustion chamber. An adjustable airflow regulator is operable to adjustably control the airflow to provide a desired minimum residence time within the combustion chamber sufficient for complete pyrolysis of the airborne pyrolysis byproducts.

Abstract: The cystic fibrosis gene and its gene product are described for mutant forms. The genetic and protein information is used in developing DNA diagnosis, protein diagnosis, carrier and patient screening, cloning of the gene and manufacture of the protein, and development of cystic fibrosis affected animals.

Abstract: A data collection system (20) is described which includes a hand-held data collector (22) for connecting to a computer processing station (PC) (24) which has software which provides a grouping of machines, from which data is to be collected, which are not ordered in a predetermined or measurement sequence. The grouped information is downloaded from the PC (24) to the data collector (22) and, once in the data collector, the user lists or rearranges the grouping as desired using the keys of the data collector to specify a desired sequence in the field. This means that the user is able to create the sequence of measurements"live", that is on tour or during the route.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for measuring the transmittance of blood within a retinal vessel detects the intensity of light reflected from illuminated portions of an eye, including the retinal vessel and background fundus, and adjusts the corresponding intensity signals to compensate for reflections from the retinal vessel. In particular, the transmittance measuring method and apparatus constructs an intensity profile function based upon the intensity signals. As a result, the intensity profile function approximates the intensity of light transmitted through the retinal vessel as a function of retinal vessel position. During the construction of the intensity profile function, the transmittance measuring method and apparatus can compensate for at least some of the reflections of light from the retinal vessel which occurred prior to propagation of the light through the retinal vessel, thereby increasing the accuracy with which the transmittance of blood within a retinal vessel is measured.

Abstract: Multi-armed, monofunctional, and hydrolytically stable polymers are described having the structure ##STR1## wherein Z is a moiety that can be activated for attachment to biologically active molecules such as proteins and wherein P and Q represent linkage fragments that join polymer arms poly.sub.a and poly.sub.b, respectively, to central carbon atom, C, by hydrolytically stable linkages in the absence of aromatic rings and ester groups in the linkage fragments. R typically is hydrogen or methyl, but can be a linkage fragment that includes another polymer arm. A specific example is an mPEG disubstituted lysine having the structure ##STR2## where mPEG.sub.a and mPEG.sub.b have the structure CH.sub.3 O--(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.n CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 -- wherein n may be the same or different for mPEG.sub.a and mPEG.sub.b and can be from 1 to about 1,150 to provide molecular weights of from about 100 to 100,000.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a textile laminate comprising a fiberfill web substrate and a face layer. The fiberfill web substrate has a plurality of first fibers at the surface of the substrate. The face layer comprises a plurality of extruded second fibers which are mechanically intertangled with the plurality of first fibers at the surface of the substrate to thereby form the textile laminate. Typically, the first fibers of the fiberfill web are polyester fiberfill fibers and the second fibers of the extruded face layer are polypropylene fibers.

Abstract: A yarn false twist texturing machine having a vertically adjustable device for threading and guiding the advancing yarn at a location between the heater and the cooling plate of the machine. The threading and guiding device comprises a tubular casing having a rodless magnetic piston mounted for sliding movement therein, and a magnetic sliding element and a yarn guide mounted for sliding movement on the outside of the tubular casing. The polarity of the magnetic sliding element is opposite that of the rodless magnetic piston so that the magnetic sliding element follows the movement of the magnetic piston, and the magnetic piston is moved by compressed air delivered into either one or both ends of the tubular casing.

Abstract: A low noise operation method for a camera system having an image sensing active pixel array, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing an optical shutter in front of an image sensing pixel array of a camera system, said image sensing pixel array having an image sensing face defined by a series of active pixels arranged in rows and columns; (b) while said shutter is closed, resetting each said pixel and then reading a first output from each said pixel; (c) opening said optical shutter for a predetermined exposure period so as to allow light to be incident upon said image sensing face of said pixel array; (d) closing said optical shutter and then reading a second output from each said pixel, without resetting said pixels; and (e) subtracting one of said first and second outputs from the other of said first and second outputs for each said pixel, so as to obtain a first difference signal for each said pixel, which first difference signal is substantially free of reset and fixed offset noise components.

Abstract: A shoe last and method for forming a shoe which is particularly constructed to be worn with and matingly interface with a wearer's custom-shaped sock. The shoe last includes a body having a backpart and a forepart connected to the backpart and extending forwardly therefrom. The last has a last bottom portion for abuttingly contacting and interfacing with a sole of a shoe. The last bottom portion has a bottom shape corresponding to the bottom shape of a custom-shaped sock when positioned on the foot of a wearer. The sole of a shoe formed from the last has a custom-contoured shape corresponding to and substantially mating with an overlying custom-shaped sock when positioned therein.

Abstract: Microelectromechanical actuators include at least one arched beam which extends between spaced apart supports on a microelectronic substrate. The arched beams are arched in a predetermined direction and expand upon application of heat thereto. A coupler mechanically couples the plurality of arched beams between the spaced apart supports. Heat is applied to at least one of the arched beams to cause further arching as a result of thermal expansion thereof, and thereby cause displacement of the coupler along the predetermined direction. Internal heating of the arched beams by passing current through the arched beams may be used. External heating sources may also be used. The coupler may be attached to a capacitor plate to provide capacitive sensors such as flow sensors. The coupler may also be attached to a valve plate to provide microvalves. Compensating arched beams may be used to provide ambient temperature insensitivity.

Abstract: A device for the effective release of hormones wherein a matrix containing a hormone producing cellular moiety is encapsulated with a non-immunogenic polymeric material of poly-para-xylyene having a membrane portion with a porosity blocking passage therethrough of immunogenic agents and permitting passage therethrough of effective nutrients for said cellular moiety and the hormone produced thereby.

Abstract: There is provided a separable multiple ply envelope assembly or mailer and process for making same having superimposed outerplies adhered together at their peripheral edges so as to form an envelope and including at least one extractible insert sheet formed from a respective inner ply, and a removable tear-off stub portion along at least one side or face of the assembly to which a corresponding side of the envelope and the insert are both attached, characterized in that the insert sheet is folded prior to its insertion between, and adherence together of the outer plies. Processes for constructing such an assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for winding tissue webs into a parent roll is disclosed which results in greater uniformity in sheet basis weight, machine direction stretch and bulk when comparing the corresponding sheet properties taken from representative locations throughout the roll. The apparatus and method includes engaging the tissue web against a reel spool with a flexible member such as a transfer belt which traverses an unsupported span between two support rolls. The web is transferred from the transfer belt to the parent roll as the parent roll is urged against the sheet/transfer belt at a point within the unsupported span. The resulting deflection of the transfer belt is detected and, in response, the reel spool position is changed to control the deflection at a desired level. Accordingly, a predetermined light nip pressure can be applied to the roll as the tissue web is wound thereon and large parent rolls of high bulk tissue can be manufactured with desired properties when unwound.

Abstract: There is provided a belt coating material for a belt type continuous casting, which is capable of adsorbing the intermediate between a cast slab and the coating material to prevent the intermediate from remaining on the slab, and reducing the averaged heat flux during the casting to avoid an occurrence of cracking in a medium carbon steel. The belt coating material comprises: (1) a powder having a composition comprising 10 to 40 weight % of SiO.sub.2, 1 to 10 weight % of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, 10 to 40 weight % of CaO, 10 to 30 weight % of Na.sub.2 O, 1 to 10 weight % of MgO, 10 to 20 weight % of F, and 1 to 5 weight % of LiO.sub.2, the powder being prepared by once melting the blended components, solidifying the melt, and crushing it into the powder to adjust the average grain diameter of the powder to be equal to or smaller than 10 .mu.m; (2) 0.1 to 10 weight % of graphite mixed into the powder to provide a mixture, the graphite having the same grain diameter with the powder; and (3) 0.

Abstract: Polar polymers having the following formula:FG--(Q).sub.d --R.sub.n --Z--J--?A(R.sup.1 R.sup.2 R.sup.3)!.sub.x(I)wherein FG is H or a protected or non-protected functional group; Q is a polar hydrocarbyl group derived by incorporation of a polar compound selected from group consisting of esters, amides, and nitriles of acrylic and methacrylic acid, and mixtures thereof; d is an integer from 10 to 2000; R is a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbyl group derived by incorporation of a compound selected from the group consisting of conjugated diene hydrocarbons, alkenylsubstituted aromatic hydrocarbons, and mixtures thereof; n is an integer from 0 to 5; Z is a branched or straight chain hydrocarbon group which contains 3-25 carbon atoms, optionally containing aryl or substituted aryl groups; J is oxygen, sulfur, or nitrogen; ?A(R.sup.1 R.sup.2 R.sup.3)!.sub.x is a protecting group, in which A is an element selected from Group IVa of the Periodic Table of Elements; R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.

Abstract: Molded articles having contoured, decorative outer surfaces are disclosed. The articles comprise a molded polymer substrate and a decorative surfacing film adhered to one side of the substrate. The decorative surfacing film comprises a substantially molecularly unoriented cast polymer film formed from a weatherable polymer. The articles are particularly suited for use as automobile body panels and the like. Also disclosed is a method for making such articles, and a method for making sets of such articles for assembly into automobile bodies and the like.

Abstract: A chair is provided that is specifically designed for use in a clean room environment by limiting the emission of particles by the chair as clean room personnel alternately sit down and stand up. The chair includes a base and a seat member operably mounted upon the base. The seat member, in turn, includes a cushion and a shell encapsulating the cushion. The shell is comprised of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). By encapsulating the cushion, such as a foam rubber cushion, in a PTFE shell, the chair limits emission of particles by the cushion.